Preserve Los Angeles restaurants!

This week is Preservation Week. With various events nationwide, the American Library Association and partners such as the Library of Congress, are hoping to shed light on the importance of preservation (see the Preservation Week website for more info). Reading the Preservation Week materials it got me thinking about doing what I could by patronizing my favorite restaurants that have stood the test of time.

I've written about it before but the Safari Room never disappoints. It's definitely on my calendar for this week.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! - Bill's Hamburgers since 1965

Here's another one of those spots that's only open Monday through Friday (from 8:30 to 4pm in this case), so on those rare occasions I have a weekday off I head to Bill's. Located on the industrial stretch of Oxnard Street between Van Nuys Blvd and Kester, the stand was recently written about in Saveur and Los Angeles magazine though it heretofore relied on word of mouth as Bill doesn't advertise.

Bill has been in this location for 45 years, he's the third owner of this little 8 stool hamburger stand and I can't imagine its been without a customer since he opened it. Before the stand Bill operated a restaurant 'down the street' for a few years (also called Bill's) which fell victim to a street widening project hence the move to the current stand in '65. Once upon a time he was open on Saturday's but gave that up fifteen years ago because he got tired of working six days a week. I've occasionally seen people order a pastrami sandwich but its Bill's hamburger that's the star of the show- a deliciously seasoned little griddled patty served on a soft bun. These burgers come with chips on the side because as Bill says 'fries aren't good for you, they're too greasy'. And might I suggest if you're still hungry after one of Bill's single (or double) cheeseburgers simply order another.

What Went Before? 8632 Van Nuys Blvd.

Today it's La Sierra nightclub but most people that grew up in the San Fernando Valley recall 8632 Van Nuys Blvd as Phil Ahn's Moongate restaurant. One of the Valley's most popular Chinese restaurants, it opened its doors in 1954 and remained a fixture through the late 1980s. Philip Ahn had quite a fascinating life. While still attending USC, Ahn began his acting career and by the end of the 1930's he had appeared in films with Bing Crosby, Mae West, Victor McLagen, Shirley Temple, Gary Cooper, Alice Faye, James Cagney and Anna May Wong. He acted in well over a hundred film and TV roles throughout his life and is best remembered as Master Kan in the series "Kung Fu".
Check out what the restaurant looked like in it's heyday!

R.I.P. - Ethel Ustin, matriarch of Western Bagel

Ethel Ustin and her husband Dave opened Western Bagel in 1947, it's still going strong after all these years. They have 11 locations in Southern California and their main store on Sepulveda Blvd is open 24 hours a day.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! -Papoo's Hot Dog Show since 1949

Who can resist a place called Papoo's Hot Dog Show? This flagship location was once part of a chain of hot doggeries and opened the same year as it's neighbor, Bob's Big Boy. While the crowds for Papoo's aren't anywhere near as large as Bob's they are holding their own and celebrating their 60th birthday! I like Steve Doggie Dogg's review of Papoo's the best but one friendly word of warning- please do try the huge breakfast burrito if you're in the neighborhood but you might want to forgo the greasy, cooked salsa and opt for hot sauce instead.

R.I.P. - Randy Hoffman, proprietor of Chili My Soul

As a fan of Chili My Soul on Ventura Blvd at Balboa I was saddened to open the Los Angeles Times today and read Randy's obituary. From the L.A. Times:
HOFFMAN, Randal Kent Passed away on June 18, 2009. He was a beloved son, brother uncle, brother-in-law, relative, loyal friend and charismatic to all. His two passions in life, music and the culinary arts, led to his mastering the drums and becoming a most wonderful chef and the proprietor of Chili My Soul.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! - James since 1953

James at 739 Truman in San Fernando is a 'must' just for the sign alone.... You are handed multiple menus when you sit down, with a huge variety of options. A few selections come with 'tasty sauce' though I've never gotten a straight answer to what that is. The place is always decorated for the nearest holiday.

R.I.P. - LeVonne Eloff, proprietress of Henry's Tacos

LeVonne Eloff moved to California in 1962 to help her father Henry run his taco stand at Tujunga and Moorpark. She'd been there ever since....

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! - Safari Room since the mid-1950s

The timeless setting and excellent waitstaff make Safari Room a destination I should visit way more often than my traditional 3-4 times a year. I've never had a disappointing meal here. A little advice for your first trip to the Safari Room, go during the day when Bobby is your server. Bobby, "trained by the best", takes pride in his job and it shows. Primarily known for their surf and turf combos, do yourself a favor and try the delicious (and cooked to perfection) burgers in this white linen tablecloth setting.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! - Saugus Cafe since 1887!

Saugus Cafe is the oldest restaurant in Los Angeles County. It started life as Tolfree's (Southern Pacific) Eating House in 1887, owner J.H. Tolfree also ran Southern Pacific eating houses in Bakersfield and Mojave. Tolfree also took over the Nadeau Hotel in November 1895. The following July, J.H. Tolfree's wife (aged 28) died at the family's home in Mojave and was interred in Los Angeles at the Rosedale Cemetery. J.H. Tolfree died January 16, 1897 of either suicide (rumored) or 'apoplexy' (official cause of death) and joined her at Rosedale. Tolfree's brother Lyman (L.H. Tolfree), a prominent hotel man in Scottsdale, AZ, seems to have taken over the Tolfree's Eating House and run it until selling to Martin & Richard Wood. More to come on the history later, BUT in the meantime- stay away from the (watery) biscuits and gravy and make sure to request onion if you order a burger. I'm thinking its better to stay with the staples here. Don't get too fancy. And-unless-you-like-to-be-the-fly-on-the-wall-checking-out-the-scene---- stay away from late nights.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! Chili John's since 1946

Chili John's is the place to go if you like chili with a little heat. Too many choices! Available mild, medium and hot. With/without beans, in a bowl, over spaghetti, on a hot dog, chili size. Add cheese, sour cream, onions, pepperoncinis, oyster crackers (particularly good here). Don't forget a piece of the pineapple cream pie.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! Bear Pit Bar-B-Q since 1955

Having been born and raised in Missouri I'm puzzled by The Bear Pit's claim to serve 'Missouri style' barbecue (I've never had it so dry) but I definitely give it an A++ for ambiance. Its worth the trip to see the bear murals and Hamm's beer 'panoramic rippler' signs. This place is always packing 'em in.....

The building at 10825 Sepulveda Boulevard started life as a Tip's barbecue and in the early-1960s Ben Baier partnered with Don Carrow (of Carrows) to open Baier Pit Barbecue. The name changed to The Bear Pit in the mid-1960s and the restaurant branched out across the Valley to 21377 Roscoe (Canoga Park), 132 N. Glendale (Glendale) and 1001 W. Victory (Burbank). When the fourth location (on W. Victory) opened in 1978 it was being touted as a prototype for 21 Bear Pits that the new owners (Bert, Jerry and Shirley Schatz) hoped to open within two years. That never panned out. The Sepulveda location is the original and last of the chain still open.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! - Firehouse since 1967

If you like gyros you'll love Firehouse. The only gyro I've tried that bested it was Papa Cristos/C&K Importing, but that is the ONLY one. Firehouse has a lot of things going for it that Papa Cristo's doesn't: no-hassle parking, non-rushed environment, rice pilaf on the side and (selfishly) its closer to home. The portions are large and everything that accompanies the 'plate' is delicious - the aforementioned meat and pilaf, along with salad, tzatziki and soft pita.

Enjoy L.A. - Eat Out More Often! Antonio's Pizzeria Since 1957

A fairly intact capsule of 1957, the main room features a banquette that wraps around its entire perimeter. The lit restroom signs deserve a special gander. Their pizza is touted as THE dish to get at Antonio's and I can vouch for the comfort food goodness of their garlic cheese bread!

They closed Wiener Factory for this?

Once again a much loved institution is closed to make room for the hip new business that never moves in. And seven months later we are still staring at the ghost of the Wiener Factory and asking why did it have to die.

What went before? Sepulveda & Roscoe

It used to be the Continental Brass Rail Hofbrau, a family restaurant serving Dixie-fried chicken, Canadian-fried fish (huh?!), roast beef, pastrami and baked ham. Today it isn't so family friendly. But check it out- the sign survived!

Enjoy L.A.- Eat Out More Often! Casa De Pizza since 1961

If you are ever out in Granada Hills do yourself a favor and stop in for a meal at Casa De Pizza. Located at 16161 San Fernando Mission Blvd (at Woodley), Casa De Pizza has been serving up delicious pizza and pasta since 1961. Take out prices are cheaper than dining in (and you'll save yourself a wait if you don't have reservations) but you'd miss out on dining in the Sinatra Room, chockful of Sinatra memorabilia. A live band plays 'the sounds of Sinatra' every Thursday night (reservations recommended at 818-366-6311). They are open Tuesday-Friday for lunch 11:30am-2:30pm; dinner Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 5pm to 9pm and dinner Thursday, Friday & Saturday 5pm to 10pm.